Rodeo world champions on their way to Phillipsburg

PHILLIPSBURG — Some of the biggest stars in the rodeo world will be in Phillipsburg from July 31 to Aug. 2.

During that weekend and the days preceding it, Kansas becomes the destination of many pro rodeo contestants as they compete at four Sunflower State rodeos: Phillipsburg, Abilene, Hill City, and Dodge City, and two more rodeos within less than a day’s driving distance, in Carson and Sidney, Iowa.

Nineteen-time world champion Trevor Brazile competes at last year’s Kansas’ Biggest Rodeo. He is among 440 contestants to enter this year’s rodeo, which is July 31-August 2. Photo courtesy JJJ Photos. — Nineteen-time world champion Trevor Brazile competes at last year’s Kansas’ Biggest Rodeo. He is among 440 contestants to enter this year’s rodeo, which is July 31 to Aug. 2. Photo courtesy JJJ Photos.

For the Phillipsburg rodeo, 440 contestants have entered it, and among them are 69 world champions and 509 National Finals Rodeo qualifiers. Four of the reigning PRCA champions will be in Phillipsburg (Trevor Brazile, all-around; Chad Ferley, saddle bronc; Shane Hanchey, tie-down roping, and J.W. Harris, bull riding), and eight of last year’s Phillipsburg rodeo champs will return to defend their titles (Clint Cooper, all-around and tie-down co-champion; Seth Hardwick, bareback riding; Bradley Harter, saddle bronc riding; Justin Maas co-champion in the tie-down roping; Tyler Pearson, steer wrestling co-champion; York Gill, team roping heeler; and Taylor Jacob, barrel racing.)

Last year, saddle bronc rider Bradley Harter made Phillipsburg his home base for the week. He rode in Phillipsburg, Abilene, Dodge City, and Dalhart, Texas, and came home to his wife and son each night at the rodeo grounds. He got to introduce her to the good cooking at Shelly Ann’s Cafe. “I’ve always bragged about that cafe to my wife. Everybody’s so nice in there, and the food is really good.” He also added his autographed picture to the collection of rodeo memorabilia in the cafe. Harter will ride on Sat., August 2.

It was in Phillipsburg last year, after Taylor Jacob won the barrel racing, that she finally realized she was headed to her first National Finals Rodeo. “It’s funny,” she said. “When I won (Phillipsburg), I thought, ‘I’m going to the NFR.’” The 2013 Women’s Pro Rodeo Association Rookie of the Year finished the season in fourth place in the world and set a new NFR record with a run of 13.37 seconds in the seventh round. She will run on Wed., July 30, during slack.

Last year’s tie-down roping champion Clint Cooper, who tied with Justin Maas with times of 8.2 seconds each, returns to Phillipsburg to rope on August 1. Kansas’ Biggest Rodeo is one of his favorites, in part because of his Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame dad, Roy Cooper. “My dad’s always liked (this rodeo.) I came here with my dad when I was younger.” In his twelve years of pro rodeo, he figures he’s never missed competing in Phillipsburg.

Many of the timed event contestants will compete in slack, which will be held at 7 pm on Tues., July 29 and Wed., July 30. Slack is free to the public. Rodeo performances take place July 31-August 1-2 at 8 pm each night. Due to injuries to themselves or their horses, or because of travel conflicts, it is not guaranteed that all contestants will compete. Tickets are available at Heritage Insurance in Phillipsburg at 785-543-2448. A complete list of contestants can be found at KansasBiggestRodeo.com.

The following cowboys and cowgirls, ranked in the top 15 in the PRCA and Women’s Pro Rodeo Association standings as of July 16, 2014 are entered to compete in Phillipsburg. They are listed by event below:

Bareback riding
3. Steven Peebles, Redmond, Ore.
12. Will Lowe, Canyon, Texas

Saddle bronc riding
1. Taos Muncy, Corona, N.M.
3. Wade Sundell, Coleman, Okla.
6. Chad Ferley, Oelrichs, S.D. (2013 PRCA World Champion)
7. Jacobs Crawley, Stephenville, Texas
8. Sam Spreadborough, Snyder, Texas
10. Heith DeMoss, Heflin, La.
11. Troy Crowser, Whitewood, S.D.
13. Cole Elshere, Faith, S.D.
14. Sterling Crawley, Stephenville, Texas
15. Bradley Harter, Loranger, La. (2013 Kansas’ Biggest Rodeo Champion)

Bull riding
2. J.W. Harris, Mullin, Texas (2013 PRCA World Champion)
4. Reid Barker, Kerrville, Texas
5. Cody Teel, Kountze, Texas
7. Ty Wallace, Collbran, Colo.
8. Brennon Eldred, Purcell, Okla.
9. Dustin Bowen, Fredericksburg, Penn.
12. Josh Koschel, Nunn, Colo.

Tie down roping
1. Tuf Cooper, Decatur, Texas
2. Shane Hanchey, Sulphur, La. (2013 PRCA World Champion)
4. Marty Yates, Stephenville, Texas
7. Cade Swor, Chico, Texas
8. Trevor Brazile, Decatur, Texas (2013 PRCA All-Around Champion)
10. Fred Whitfield, Hockley, Texas
11. Tyson Durfey, Weatherford, Texas
13. Clint Cooper, Decatur, Texas (2013 Kansas’ Biggest Rodeo Co-Champion)
15. Jesse Clark, Portales, N.M.

Steer Wrestling
3. Casey Martin, Sulphur, La.
5. Nick Guy, Sparta, Wis.
6. Cole Edge, Durant, Okla.
13. Riley Duvall, Checotah, Okla.

Team Roping – Headers
2. Trevor Brazile, Decatur, Texas (2013 PRCA All-Around Champion)
3. Dustin Bird, Cut Bank, Mont.
4. Coleman Proctor, Pryor, Okla.
5. Erich Rogers, Round Rock, Ariz.
7. Luke Brown, Morgan Mill, Texas
9. Kaleb Driggers, Stephenville, Texas
10. Tom Richards, Humboldt, Ariz.
12. Turtle Powell, Alpine, Texas
13. Chad Masters, Cedar Hill, Tenn.
15. Colby Lovell, Madisonville, Texas

Team Roping – Heelers
2. Paul Eaves, Millsap, Texas
3. Travis Graves, Morgan Mill, Texas
4. Jake Long, Coffeyville, Kan.
5. Cory Petska, Lexington, Okla.
6. Kollin VonAhn, Blanchard, Okla.
7. Patrick Smith, Lipan, Texas
8. Kinney Harrell, Marshall, Texas
10. Monty Joe Petska, Turlock, Calif.
11. Dakota Kirchenschlager, Morgan Mill, Texas
14. Martin Lucero, Stephenville, Texas
15. Russell Cardoza, Terrebonne, Ore.

Barrel Racing
1. Kaley Bass, Kissimmee, Fla.
5. Michele McLeod, Whitesboro, Texas
8. Shelley Morgan, Eustace, Texas
11. Jana Bean, Ft. Hancock, Texas
12. Christy Loflin, Franktown, Colo.